By Jim Lysaght

You had to be there! The sun shone, the music and laughter flowed, the place was getting packed. More and more people were coming in to The Forge Bar on Sunday, 7th July. There already was a table setting out in the beer garden for a nice crowd but people wanted to be out in the sun, that rare phenomenon in Ireland. So needs must - all available chairs and tables were moved out of the bar and restaurant to accommodate the incoming throng. This most unusual sight (for Ireland) was catered and marshalled by a posse of Lions Club members who turned out in their light blue tops to make sure that all who were in The Forge last Sunday week had the best possible time.

Harper the DJ struck up a lively mix of oldies and bang up to date stuff that had everybody tapping their toes and looking for a dance area. Someone commented “if he plays ABBA there might be a bit of a riot here” - only half in jest. The O’Connor girls from Conna were doing a fantastic face-painting job. The food was served and half a dozen Lions got stuck into the task of marshalling the double queue and serving up the salads, while Joe and his chefs got out the cooked part of the meal. To say that the burgers were a hit is a drastic understatement, Joe and his staff had hit a winner. And still the sun shone!

The talk around was of sport and what a weekend for sport. The Lions had sealed a series win against Australia with an emphatic victory in the 3rd test the day. Cork football fans were drifting back from the long unfruitful trek to Killarney with long faces “it was lost on the sideline before half time”, “you needed legs out there today and no starting place for our Tomas”. It was not lost that the other Tomas, a teacher in the Gaelscoil, was still going well in Kerry colours.

It was then time for the raffle, where all the cajoling and selling produced a record take and Lion Don did the honours later with some 10 spots going out. There was also a present for each of the Chernobyl kids to help remember the event.

After weeks of Fermoy Lions Club work to advertise, sell tickets and arrange raffle spot prizes the day had finally arrived and was going a bomb. Next up by DJ Harper – ABBA! Enjoyment all round. It was a great day and it was winding down now. Time for Lion Club president Ger Wilson to say a few words and signal that all good things must end –but not just yet.

Fermoy Lions Club would like to thank Joe and his staff at The Forge Bar for a fantastic day and a great venue. They really pulled out all the stops and staffed the venue to produce a seamless, well catered event. We must also thank Tom at the Wagon Tavern and Brian at Albert’s who also rowed in to make the event a success. Last but not least, the Fermoy Lions Club officers and members who worked tirelessly over the preceding weeks to make the day a great success. Success is no accident – it might look easy but that’s only an illusion. The recipient organisations this year were as always the Fermoy Chernobyl Children’s Project and this year The Alzheimers Society (Fermoy and Conna). Fermoy Lions Club would like to thank both organisations for their contributions and efforts to sell tickets for the event. Until next year!

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